Spanning 129.1 miles across Tennessee, this trek from Parsons to New South Memphis is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 28 minutes. Because the trip is relatively short, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stop. You will primarily navigate via I-40, East Main Street, and US 412, making it a highly efficient transit through the Southeast. Expect to budget roughly $20 for fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. This route works best for travelers looking for a direct, no-nonsense connection between these two points in the state.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
64.6 miles from Parsons, TN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 40
82.3 mi
1h 29m
East Main Street
17.4 mi
20m
US 412
10.5 mi
11m
Avron B Fogelman Expressway
4.5 mi
6m
W B Fowler Senior Expressway
3.7 mi
5m
South Perkins Road
2.3 mi
3m
West Church Sttreet
2.2 mi
2m
Sam Cooper Boulevard
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 40
— 82.3 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Parsons, TN and New South Memphis, TN.
1
Start on US 412
17 mi·20 min·East Main Street
2
Continue on US 412
2.2 mi·2 min·West Church Sttreet
3
Continue on US 412
10 mi·11 min·US 412
4
Turn right onto SR 152
0.8 mi·1 min·Law Road
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
6
Merge onto I 40
82 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 40
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on Sam Cooper Boulevard
1.6 mi·2 min·Sam Cooper Boulevard
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 9Toward Perkins RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn left onto North Perkins Road
1.1 mi·1 min·North Perkins Road
10
Continue on Perkins Extended
1.3 mi·2 min·Perkins Extended
11
Continue on South Perkins Road
2.3 mi·3 min·South Perkins Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 240 West
13
Merge onto I 240
4.5 mi·6 min·Avron B Fogelman Expressway
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on I 240
3.7 mi·5 min·W B Fowler Senior Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·13 sec
Exit 7Toward US 61: Vicksburg, Third StreetUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 61 North: Third StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto US 61
0.4 mi·36 sec·South Third Street
18
Arrive at destination
US 61
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable drive of under two and a half hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion as you approach the New South Memphis area. Because there are no designated stops required by the route, you should plan your own breaks if you prefer to stretch your legs during the 129.1-mile transit. Keep in mind that since the majority of your time is spent on I-40, maintaining a steady speed is key to keeping your $20 fuel budget on track. Always verify your local fuel prices before departing Parsons to ensure you are fully prepared for the highway stretch ahead.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 64.6 miles from Parsons, TN, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 28 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.6 miles or 1h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New South Memphis, TN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Parsons, TN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Parsons, TN
This is one driving day of about 129.1 miles and 2h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Parsons, TN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 40 for about 82.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 30.9 and 128.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
30.9 mi into trip|~35m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
31.1 mi into trip|~35m in|I 40
Merge onto I 40
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
115 mi into trip|~2h 7m in
Take the exit toward Perkins Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 9
Toward Perkins Road
8
128.4 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Take the exit toward US 61: Vicksburg, Third Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 7
Toward US 61: Vicksburg, Third Street
8
128.5 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 61 North: Third Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 61 North: Third Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.18 one way
$40.37 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$22.16
$44.32
premium
$4.89
$24.84
$49.69
diesel
$5.61
$28.50
$57.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.7
0
$13.56
$6.20
Efficient EV
32.3
0
$11.30
$5.16
EV Truck/SUV
51.6
0
$18.07
$8.26
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Parsons, TN
Late night
in Parsons on Sunday
Local time
5:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
New South Memphis, TN
Late night
in New South Memphis on Sunday
Local time
5:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Brownsville, TN
65 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
30 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 28m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 78% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 82.3 miles on I-40. While the transition from the smaller streets of Parsons onto the interstate provides a shift in pace, the experience remains consistent and predictable throughout. Expect the drive to feel like a standard transit route rather than a winding scenic byway. It is an ideal choice if you prioritize speed and direct navigation over backroad exploration.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.3 mi on I 40.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 40 and East Main Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 30.9 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 129.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 30.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 31.1 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 115 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 28m. Total distance: 129.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.3 miles on I 40. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at New South Memphis, TN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 30.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 31.1 miles (I 40): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 115 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at New South Memphis, TN before heading back.
